A comprehensive two-year survey of over 1,000 heat pump installations across Central Europe highlights areas for improvement while also showcasing the advancements in heat pump technology.
The study found that the majority of systems performed efficiently, with air-source and ground-source heat pumps meeting European efficiency standards in most cases.
The survey also uncovered valuable insights into the potential for system optimisation. Approximately 10 per cent of systems were slightly oversized, and about 1 per cent were undersized. Interestingly, the study observed a wide range of performance variability, revealing opportunities for improvement in system tuning, with some heat pumps showing up to a two- to three-fold efficiency difference.
Conducted by a team from ETH Zurich and the University of St Gallen, this study represents the largest field study of its kind, drawing from sensor data from 1,023 heat pumps in 10 countries across Central Europe. The researchers emphasised the importance of standardised post-installation performance evaluations to optimise operational efficiency. The findings support the development of advanced digital tools to provide actionable feedback for both users and installers, helping to fine-tune performance for better energy savings.
The study also highlighted the complexity of heat pumps compared to traditional heating systems, as they have not yet undergone decades of optimisation. Moreover, performance can be influenced by various external factors, such as occupant behaviour and system settings, presenting challenges but also offering room for future improvements in customisation and efficiency.
The research sheds light on how heat pumps can continue to evolve for even better energy efficiency and cost savings in the future by providing a detailed analysis of the data from a variety of heat pump models and configurations.
The study, published in Nature Communications, presents a promising outlook for heat pump technology’s future and the steps needed to unlock its full potential.
